Lakers veteran Metta World Peace wanted to change his jersey number to 60 this season to honor recently retired teammate Kobe Bryant, but an NBA deadline to change jersey numbers had passed. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

ANAHEIM – Prior to the start of the Lakers preseason opener against Sacramento, Metta World Peace performed the familiar ritual of pulling on his purple and gold No. 37 jersey.

It’s a number naturally associated with the former Lakers champion. He first wore it in 2009-10, before switching to No. 15 the following year. When he returned to the franchise last season, he reclaimed the number he has said he selected in honor of the 37 weeks Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” album spent atop the Billboard charts.

But in his 17th NBA campaign, World Peace wanted to change it up once again.

“I so wanted that No. 60,” he said. “That’s all I was talking about, if I got back to the Lakers, was changing my number to 60.”

Why 60?

To honor Kobe Bryant’s final game on April 13, when the retiring superstar scored 60 points against the Utah Jazz.

“I was so honored to be there,” said World Peace, who played with Bryant from 2009-13, and again last season.

“I wanted to surprise him,” World Peace said of the tribute. “I was so honored to be there. But, whatever.”

The Lakers confirmed that World Peace requested the change when he signed his contract on Sept. 22. One problem: The league’s deadline for players to change their numbers had long passed.

Over the course of his career, World Peace has also sported Nos. 23, 91, 93, 96 and 51. In 2011, he said he planned to switch to No. 70, but an ESPN.com report from the time said NBA rules precluded a player from changing his number too frequently.

Still, 60 would have fit right in.

World Peace will have to settle for 37 for at least the rest of this season. He might find comfort in the fact those digits will take on additional symbolism on Nov. 13, when he turns 37.

Bill Oram covers the Los Angeles Lakers for the Southern California News Group. He covered the Utah Jazz for the Salt Lake Tribune. He is the (usually) bearded guy in the background wearing a University of Montana hat.